Cardinals LB Markus Golden among players with best team-friendly deals

Arizona Cardinals outside linebacker Markus Golden enters 2022 as the team’s top pass-rushing option.

The linebacker is coming off a team-leading 11-sack season and has arguably the highest motor on the team.

And he’s doing so on the cheap end.

Pro Football Focus’ Brad Spielberger rated Golden’s two-year, $5 million deal as the 15th best contract ahead of the new season.

Golden is in his second stint with the Cardinals after the team drafted the linebacker in 2015.

Following four seasons in Arizona from 2015-18, Golden signed with the New York Giants ahead of 2019 before getting dealt back to the Cardinals in 2020 after pass rusher Chandler Jones was lost for the season due to a biceps injury.

In nine games, Golden churned out 4.5 sacks during his reunion tour before racking up 11 this past season. He also tallied 33 QB hits over his last 25 games in the desert.

“I’m glad to be back, man. I’m glad to be back,” Golden told reporters after the team’s win over the Houston Texans in Week 7. “I’m supposed to be an Arizona Cardinal and I’m glad to be back here where I’m supposed to be.”

With pass rushers such as Dennis Gardeck, Cameron Thomas and Myjai Sanders all vying for starter reps, Golden will serve as the team’s anchor in the pass-rushing department this upcoming season.